Bolton students inspired by 'Women in STEM' day learning about careers in engineering

Posted by Stephanie Broad | January 26, 2016 | School life

Girls from year eight to 11 enjoyed an inspiring ‘Women in STEM’ careers day recently, where they were given the opportunity to talk to guests from the field of engineering. The day was designed to show girls the many career options that they have in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers.

As well as pupils from Bolton School Girls’ Division, girls from ESSA Academy and Bolton St Catherine’s Academy attended sessions at the event. This was the second year that the ‘Women in STEM’ careers event has run, organised by the School’s Ogden Trust Teaching Fellow, Dr Louise Wheatland.

Eraina Smith discussing her work with Girls' Division pupils

The pupils spoke to a number of STEM Ambassadors over the course of their session. These were Natalie Brock (Structural Engineer, WML Consulting), Kate Harrison (Civil/Structural Engineer), Jack McLear (Technical Consultant, IBM-BAE) and Eraina Smith (Civil Engineer, Capita), who could all give perspectives on the types of engineering careers available. Undergraduate students Rhiannon Goswell (studying Applied Physics at Manchester Metropolitan University) and Lucy Talbot (studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester), who talked about what to expect from university courses and the different routes into engineering that are available to young people.

The girls were split into small groups to talk to the STEM Ambassadors individually, and were encouraged to join in and ask questions, some of which they had prepared before the session.

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